Bosch E06 fault codewhat it means and how to fix it
Bosch say the lint filter is blocked. Their own page for this code then reprints the text for a different code, so their summary line is all the description that exists.
Take care
What E06 means
We are being unusually careful with this page, because Bosch’s is defective. Their summary reads: "If your tumble dryer is displaying the E06 error it means that the lint filter is most probably blocked. This will prevent the appliance from functioning properly and could lead to further problems." Those two sentences, plus a reminder to clean the lint filter after every drying cycle, are the only description of E06 that Bosch publish anywhere.
Immediately beneath them, the body of their page opens with "The E01 error code is likely a result of a blockage in the filter area" and continues with the E01 filter procedure word for word. So Bosch UK’s E06 page tells the reader about E01. In outcome the mistake is harmless — both codes want the filter cleaned, so following the instructions gets you to the right place.
But it matters for what can honestly be claimed. We cannot tell you how Bosch distinguish E06 from E01, because they have not documented it beyond that single summary line, and anywhere claiming to explain the difference in detail is filling a gap the manufacturer left. What we can say is that the practical answer is the two-part fluff filter, that E06 makes no mention of the heat exchanger while E01 does, and that neither code appears in any Bosch manual we examined.
What causes it
| Cause | What is actually happening | How likely |
|---|---|---|
| Ordinary lint on the two-part fluff filter | Bosch’s stated cause and the only one they give. The filter separates into two halves and both need cleaning, which is the step people most often miss. | Common |
| Fluff in the filter housing rather than on the filter | Bosch include wiping the filter area as a numbered step. Fibre packs into the recess below the filter and restricts airflow even when the filter itself is clean. | Common |
| A filter left apart or refitted wrongly after cleaning | A two-part filter gives you two ways to reassemble it incorrectly. Bosch make reassembly and reinsertion separate numbered steps, which suggests they see it. | Occasional |
| Conditioner residue glazing the mesh | Not something Bosch mention, but it applies to any dryer filter. A glazed filter looks clear and still restricts air, and it needs rinsing rather than wiping. | Occasional |
What to try yourself
Take the washing out and spread it before working on the machine.
Open the door and pull out the two-part fluff filter.
Wipe around the filter area with a cloth to remove residual fluff, then pull the two-part filter apart and open both halves.
Remove the fluff with a cloth and rinse away what remains under running water, then dry both halves with a cloth or paper towel.
Refit them completely dry, or the filter collects fibre far faster than normal.Reassemble the filter and reinsert it fully into position. Check it is seated rather than resting in the opening.
Restart. If E06 returns with a clean, correctly assembled filter, treat it as you would E01 and look at the heat exchanger or run the care programme, depending on your model.
Get a qualified appliance engineer to look at your Bosch E06
We do not pass enquiries to a repair firm, so there is no form here. When you book a qualified appliance engineer, tell them the make, the model and the exact code or message on the display, and ask whether they carry parts for this make — that is what turns one visit into a repair rather than a quote.
What it costs to fix
Typical repair cost
£0–£200
Time on site
15 minutes
Nothing in almost every case. This is filter cleaning and takes ten minutes. A chargeable visit only arises where the code persists with everything genuinely clean.
Typical UK prices including parts and labour, updated September 2026. Your quote may differ.
Own this appliance and had this code? . Nothing is published until a person has read it.
Related Bosch fault codes
- E01Get it checkedA blockage in the filter or heat exchanger. Bosch publish an eleven-step fix for it that most of their current machines cannot accept.Related: airflow and filters
- E03Usually simple to fixThe condensate tank is full. Bosch attach their own scope warning to this one, which is unusual and useful.Related: same brand
- E04Usually simple to fixYou have put too much in. Bosch give the most practical loading test in this whole category — a hand’s width above the washing.Related: same brand
- CrEUsually simple to fixNot a fault. The machine is asking you to run its care programme — and it is spelled two different ways depending on your model, which is why it is hard to look up.Related: same brand
- HotUsually simple to fixExplicitly not a fault. The machine is cooling your washing on purpose, and Bosch ask you not to interfere with it.Related: same brand
Own a Bosch tumble dryer? Save it and its codes come first next time.
Related guides
Common questions about Bosch E06
Bosch’s page for this code talks about E01. Is that a mistake?
It is, and it is reproducible on their live site. The summary is about E06 and the body beneath it reprints the E01 text and steps verbatim. It does not lead you astray in practice, because both codes want the filter cleaned, but it does mean Bosch have published no independent description of E06 beyond one sentence.
So what actually is the difference between E01 and E06?
On Bosch’s own summaries, E01 covers a blockage in the filter or the heat exchanger and mentions overheating; E06 names only the lint filter. Beyond that we cannot tell you, because Bosch have not published it, and we would rather say so than invent a distinction.
Should I clean the heat exchanger too?
It will not hurt, and if the code recurs it is the sensible next step. Note that on current SelfCleaning models there is no user-accessible heat exchanger — you run the appliance care programme instead, which the machine prompts with CrE or CArE.
Technical review
Not reviewed by an engineer
No engineer has read this page. Severity follows what the manufacturer publishes, and we would rather tell you that than let a byline imply a sign-off.
Sources and how we verified this
We establish the facts from the sources below and then write the explanation ourselves. We do not copy manufacturer wording and we do not host their manuals.
- Manufacturer support portal
This page has not been reviewed by an engineer, and we would rather tell you that than imply otherwise. The severity rating follows what the manufacturer publishes: where they say isolate the appliance and call someone, so do we.